Do you remember the 21st night of September?

The title of this post is a loaded statement. In 2009, this happens to be the night before the Avett Brothers roll into Oxford. I haven't been more excited for a musical event in my life. It should be fantastic. Oxford will be graced by THE John Carpenter; we better start resting now.

This title also points to the purpose of this post: my September playlist. Call me crazy (I hope you do), but I make a playlist for every month. Sometimes I make multiple ones, but I always try and set up the month in my life with music that defines it. I am a lyricist. I am done trying to disown it; I am proud to be a lyricist. With that though comes a few exceptions to the rule, but there is one main exception. If the music is just horrible, I could care less with what it is saying. I listen to the music for the lyrical content, but if the music doesn't support the conscious of the lyric, then I toss it. For this simple reason, music is an impressive and necessary art form. I could go on, but for the reader's sake, I digress.

To get to the meat of it all, here my friends is my September 2009 Playlist:

1. I'm the Man Who Loves You- Wilco: this song just seems appropriate for this time of year. I will say this, I am disappointed that Wilco probably will not come to Oxford ever again because of the ignorant and disrespectful people who talked the whole show to the point to where Jeff Tweedy had to tell them to shut up, in a much more profane way, on three occasions. That is flat out embarrassing. This song reminds me of football season, so that is why it is numero uno on the playlist.

2. Swept Away- The Avett Brothers: Where is Hank Currin when you need him? This song takes me back to camp. Pud, Harrison, Kelsey, R. Kelly, Hank, and Monty's version of this might be better than the original. There is a theme so far of these songs, that is implicit in my mind. To some of the co-writers, I am sure it is too. I will leave it at that.

3. Daylight- Matt & Kim: This song reminds me of driving with John Carpenter and Daniel Wynn heading to Chattanooga on a night out. Those were the days. Also, the 405 had a miserably failing attempt at a dance party the other night (I am man enough to say it was a flop; Dent May is right "you can't force a dance party"), and we were listening to this song that whole night. Great song, this album though is not all that great; my advice is to stick with solely this single.

4. Skinny Love- Bon Iver: This song is quickly climbing into the Top 10 of my "Overall Song" Power Rankings (if you don't know, I have a Power Rankings for, well, everything; literally). This blog has a man crush on this album and singer-songwriter; I'm okay with that. I could go on, but for my personal sake, I will stop with simply this: this song reminds me of the cold (and the summer), so will probably find its way on every month's playlist until March. You have been warned.

5. Wake Up- Arcade Fire: Speaking of Hank Currin, there was no better thing that walking out of church at camp with "the band" playing this, and having half the staff singing as they were simultaneously thinking about how glorious softball and fellowship would be that night. I overlooked this song when I first bought the album "Funeral", and Monty Miller is responsible for me falling for it. "Children wake up..."- there is something pretty thought provoking about those lines. Grade A.

6. Heretics- Andrew Bird: This song is simply "the fall". I like it, and it brings back good memories. I associate every song with where I was when I really enjoyed it, or with a particular experience. I categorize music in my mind, for better or for worse, and this song simply places me in a good place.

7. Make Light- Passion Pit: Don't call it a comeback. I am a Passion Pit fan. It is kind of "Houston Calls"-esque. For the co-writers sake, it is kind of like some "Format" stuff. It is a quality CD, and will be a favorite for the fall. Doesn't compliment the Ole Miss Alma Mater very well, but it will do. Who ever said a change of pace wasn't a good thing. Shaggy said it best, "It wasn't me."

8. Come Pick Me Up- Ryan Adams: If I could play/write/sing/be like Ryan Adams, I am 99.9999% certain I would not be single. This song reminds me of a late night and people being a little liquored up. For better or for worse, this song resonates with me the fall.

9. You and I- Ingrid Michaelson: This song is in my Top 5 in the Power Rankings. Unreal. I don't like any of her other stuff, but I love this song. Talk about a song that allows your mind to wonder. I am comfortable enough in my own sexuality to say that. Thank you Jonathan Franklin, Maroda, and Jordan for introducing me to it this summer. This song is Biblical.

10. The Swimming Song- Loudon Wainright III: Reminds me of this summer. Good outro song from summer into fall. The song is much smoother than the physical transition itself.

11. So Far Around the Bend- The National: This "Dark Was the Night" compilation/album is awesome. I categorize The National with the winter, but this song is fall. There is a lot of imagery associated here. If you know me at all, you can imagine. That can go several directions, and directions off those directions. Most people probably don't follow that.

12. Fake Palindromes- Andrew Bird: I wish Andrew Bird was playing this fall. You cannot not like this song. That is sinful if you do.

13. Go To Sleep- The Avett Brothers: I can't wait until next Tuesday. This song has the Fall feel as well. I might as well not write anything out beside these because I keep saying the same thing. This song does have the feel of fall. You can't deny it.

14. Laundry Room- The Avett Brothers: There is only one word to describe this song: beautiful. This is my favorite Avett Bros song at the moment, but that changes almost daily. Their new CD will be almost as good as their show next week. I wish that everyone would come to it and stay at our house. The beginning lyrics of this song are unreal, and the jam session at the end is neat-o.

15. Jesus, etc.- Wilco: "Tall buildings shake

Voices escape singing sad sad songs
Tuned to chords strung down your cheeks
Bitter melodies turning your orbit around". Let us pray.

16. Tomorrow is a Long Time- Nickel Creek: The title says it all. If I can find a girl that can sing like that, well, sign her up for at least a trip to Bottletree.

17. You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift: What was once a guilty pleasure is now simply a pleasure. I have no guilt in saying this- I like Taylor Swift. I think it is catchy, and it is comical at points. I plan on putting both her CDs into my iTunes library. Will I pay for them? No. But I will have them to where I can listen to them on demand.

That is all for September. I will leave you with what Earth Wind and Fire has to say about this lovely month. Goodnight and good luck boys and girls.

"Do you remember the 21st night of september?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing.
As we danced in the night,
Remember how the stars stole the night away

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in september
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

My thoughts are with you
Holding hands with your heart to see you
Only blue talk and love,
Remember how we knew love was here to stay

Now december found the love that we shared in september.
Only blue talk and love,
Remember the true love we share today

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in september
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in september
Ba de ya - golden dreams were shiny days"